| If your mobility has become limited so that you need | | | | lot of walking ability but you simply need a little bit of |
| some help getting around, a portable mobility scooter | | | | extra "motorized help" to do the things you need to, |
| may just be the ticket. Not an electric wheelchair, a | | | | this type of scooter may also work well. |
| mobility scooter is a comfortable chair with arms that | | | | How the motorized scooters work |
| sits on a platform, and underneath the platform are | | | | In general, the company you choose the motorized |
| four small wheels with a very refined turning radius so | | | | scooter from will schedule an appointment to come |
| that it's very easy to get around in small places and | | | | out and see you so that you can be fit with the proper |
| turns that are tight. | | | | size. The technician who comes out to fit you will also |
| You navigate the scooter, usually, by turning it on with | | | | teach you how to operate the scooter as part of the |
| a key; two handlebars are in front, similar to bike | | | | process. |
| handlebars, and you simply turn the scooter left or right | | | | Scooter lifts |
| or go straight ahead to manage your direction. The | | | | Scooters come in a variety of weights, but in general, |
| scooter is usually powered by pressing handlebar | | | | the most heavy-duty ones come apart in several |
| "throttles" built into the handlebars in the front; you can | | | | pieces with the smallest piece weighing a good 40 to |
| stop or brake in this way as well. The scooter itself | | | | 50 pounds. Therefore, unless you have very good |
| runs on batteries that are recharged often; usually, | | | | standing ability and significant upper body strength, |
| these batteries have a distance life of several miles | | | | chances are you'll need a scooter lift to be able to get |
| before they need recharging. | | | | the scooter in and out of your car trunk. Alternatively, |
| Who are portable mobility scooters NOT suited for? | | | | you can also have a scooter lift fitted onto a van so |
| However, portable mobility scooters may not be for | | | | that the scooter itself does not need to be taken apart |
| everyone. If you have trouble sitting up and don't have | | | | and can be put in the van intact. |
| a lot of upper body mobility, an electric wheelchair may | | | | How are portable mobility scooters paid for? |
| be a better option. That's because portable mobility | | | | In most cases, if your physical condition warrants it, |
| scooters assume that you do have some upper body | | | | your insurance, Medicaid, Medicare, and/or a |
| strength and can hold yourself upright quite easily. In | | | | combination of these should cover the cost of portable |
| addition, you will need some dexterity and some arm | | | | mobility scooters and scooter lifts, with perhaps a small |
| strength in order to manage operating the scooter. | | | | co-pay or something similar. |
| When should you consider a portable mobility scooter? | | | | If you do not have insurance or another of these |
| If your mobility is still quite fine but you tire easily when | | | | programs, such as Medicaid or Medicare, some |
| you try to walk for long distances outside, this type of | | | | charitable organizations may be able to help you |
| scooter is the perfect solution for those long trips | | | | afford a portable mobility scooter and lift if you need |
| outside when you want to take the grandkids to the | | | | them. |
| zoo or something similar. In addition, if you don't have a | | | | |